Helstone's mailbag: something for everyone!

[channe]

To: His Honour Giscard Guillaume, Councilor in regards to Commerce and Trade; His Honour Suede Roschen, Councilor in regards to Agriculture:

Gentlemen,

I spoke with the Brotherhood lieutenant Maxwell Bishop in my office tonight; he has reliably informed me that Councilor al'Nerun has, at long last, left on his -- mission. May the One God ride with him and bring him back unharmed; but, in the event that he does not, I think it best to be prepared for all eventualities.

Lieutenant Bishop informed me of his suspicions regarding this new, illegal militia, the Hand of Myrken; he does not believe that they are patriots or have our best interests in mind, and I agree heartily. He wishes to shortly begin active drilling within their sight to show our strength and discourage them, and we agreed that certain covert operations were most likely necessary to discover exactly what it is they are doing. Lieutenant Bishop has a somewhat-founded suspicion that they may be part of the storied invasion force; I believe there is a greater story there for many reasons, but it is as yet unclear to me.

At any rate, it will never hurt to re-establish ourselves in the public eye as something other than a band of milquetoasts -- no matter what happens to Councilor Kerrak, we do [I]not allow his sacrifice to be made in vain. Especially now, as the drow will no longer believe we are complacent; Kerrak has effectively made our first move, gentlemen, and it is best that we be ready to play the rest of the game.

In these times we must not be without a Councilor of Security; none of the three of us, I believe, would be ready to test our own military mettle with Successor Faeryl. I propose we appoint someone to fill the seat in a temporary, short-term fashion, until Captain Kerrak returns, bless his soul. General Eriks will do nicely; likewise, Kerrak's second. I do not recommend Lieutenant Bishop; he is a competent and capable man when instructed, yes, but his gullibility has already been called into question in the matter of the two girls, and his request last night for the Council to consider the rule of martial law in the days to come is out of the question.

And, as usual, I have no idea how we are going to pay for any of this. I'll come up with something.

Sincerely,

Coriolanus Helstone
Councilor of Administrative Sanctions[/I]

[Guillaume]

I, Giscard Guillaume, Lord of Lothbury Estate, Councilor of the Myrken Wood Judiciary In Regards To Commerce and Trade, Interim Governor Etc., to Coriolanus Helstone, the Councilor of Administrative Sanctions; to His Honour Suede Roschen, the Councilor of Agriculture: Greetings.

You will no doubt forgive my brevity.

On the matter of Lieutenant Bishop: that this man holds any rank whatsoever is a necessary evil, but an evil nonetheless. Doubtless he believes his rank disobedience justified; perhaps it even is. I suggest that he is offered this opportunity to redeem himself, that he might be spared our judgement following this drow fiasco.

The 'General' Eriks possesses a remarkable gift for leadership; the Militia rallies under his able hand accordingly. But these are man native to Myrken, and not all of the Brotherhood's members can say that; certainly not the whole of its leadership. Will they heed him with any real loyalty?

I am agreed, however, that martial law would accomplish nothing whatsoever; indeed, that it would create havoc, and in any case could not rightly be enforced. Let the Lieutenant see to the training of these men, but I will give him no part in the directing of them. As regards the Hand of Myrken -- they present a trickier proposition. Have we any indication of their numbers, of the actual influence they wield over our population?

Furthermore, there remains the matter of the Crown's emmissary, Baron Amesbury. He has suffered a particularly violent welcome to Myrken Wood, and I doubt that we wish this fact to be conveyed His Majesty at any point in the future, distant or near.

As ever, we've more questions than ready answers; in hopes of discovering more of the latter, I wish to call a meeting of this Council. Furthermore, I intend that each of these factions -- Lieutenant Bishop; the General; the Hand; the Crown -- be given a voice at some point during it. In particular, the Hand, for if it wishes legitimacy, then let it have legitimacy, and choke or thrive upon it accordingly.


Done by my hands at the Myrkenwood Meetinghouse, this 24th day of August
Giscard Guillaume